Gum Recession? HELP!

Message

#1 Post by **SideKick3QT** » Thu May 24, 2007 11:29 am

I havent gotten my braces yet, but the last time I went to my Ortho, he warned me about it underneath my 2 bottom teeth. The recession started when I was a few years younger but I didnt pay it any attention> i recently removed my lip ring due to it irritating that small part of my gum and now its sore. Do you guys think I should wait until I go back to the ortho to get a suggestion, or should I go to a periodontic's office to get them to look at it? With the way things are looking I wouldnt be surprised if I had to get surgery, I just dont know if getting it right now would be the right option..what do you think??

#2 Post by **ABraces2007** » Thu May 24, 2007 11:51 am

I definitely suggest you to visit your perio before braces... gums should be in very good condition before the movement starts.
I don`t really know what kind of sore you have, cause i can`t see it. As for me, i didn`t even know i had anything sore in my mouth before i started all this dental jorney. And i needed periodontal treatment on two top molars. Not a big deal, don`t worry, gums recover really fast and it`s a normal procedure. However i don`t know about the costs of it in place where you live, but perio treatment tends to be expensive, especially if you have to go to another specialist to make it done. Try to talk to your GD about it.

#3 Post by **Pixel Witch** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:22 pm

Take care of it ASAP.

I had the exact same problem on the lingual side of my front tooth and ignored it for a little while thinking it was just irritatede - and now I am in the middle of going through some not quite comfortable periodontal treatments before I get braced in two weeks.

#4 Post by **Pixel Witch** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:24 pm

To clarify, it became infected, started to produce pus, and was classified as a '6' which can indicate moderate to severe Periodontal Disease. Luckily this was my only DEEP pocket and my periodontal disease is relatively MINOR, but you don't want to get to the point where you're succumbing to bone loss.

#5 Post by **jf74** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:08 pm

You should get it checked and fixed before braces I think.

I know my ortho did not even want to start my treatment until my gum were in perfect health ( I had to receive 2 graft )

#6 Post by **DirtyMartini** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:48 am

definitely go to see your normal dentist first and ask his opinion and referral to perio (if necessary)....dentist check up is hella cheaper than perio

your ortho will want all dental issues sorted before he'll pop on braces - i had to have 8 grafts done on my bottom jaw and, once that has healed, i need to get a couple of crowns (because of hairline fractures) before I can get braces. i've been pre-warned that it *may* be necessary to re-do the grafts after the braces come off

just on the whole gum graft issue - i had valium as a prep and then the perio used donar tissue and, to me (a self admited dental and pain phobic person), donar tissue was the *only* way to fly...the whole process went like a dream

#7 Post by **SideKick3QT** » Sun May 27, 2007 6:30 am

Thanks for all of your advice. It was very helpful.

I made an appt with my dentist for a cleaning ( I havent been in so long!) and they said I can get it checked out there and if it is bad enough then they'll give me a referral.

#8 Post by **rsprouse** » Tue May 29, 2007 1:22 pm

To clarify, it became infected, started to produce pus, and was classified as a '6' which can indicate moderate to severe Periodontal Disease. Luckily this was my only DEEP pocket and my periodontal disease is relatively MINOR, but you don't want to get to the point where you're succumbing to bone loss.

A "6" does not necessarily indicate periodontal disease. It is possible to have pocketing without attachment loss (which is the hallmark of Periodontal disease). Sounds like you had a periodontal lesion, glad you got it taken care of early before it developed into a bigger problem.

Regarding the original question, everyone is right that you should have it checked out before getting braced. Recession could be from toothbrush abrasion, wear from your piercings, or many other things. But normally healthy tissue should not be sore in any way so it's better to have it looked at.

Good Luck,
Rory